Concert Diary :: October '09
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Artist:
Oh yes, the series is back! Join me for a month full of live shows and the down and dirty lowdown. No information will be held back, and I will crumble under questioning. Was Morrissey bright and healthy; how are the new Editors songs live; do Franz Ferdinand still have it; is Les Savy Fav one of the best live bands of your times? Read on, and you'll find out.
¬ Wild Beasts
You know they have a special place in my heart (right?). They were tight, but with more room for lovely guitar sounds and heavenly vocals than ever. This is the fourth time I saw them live and they were more confident and on top of their game than ever.
Award for best sort of new band.... AGAIN.
¬ Richard Hawley
I've already ramble about this show here.
Award for best show of the month, along with Les Savy Fav!
¬ The Maccabees
After seeing them live at the zoo, aka Leeds Festival, I couldn't be bothered to see them again. They're a one time band type of thing for me, nothing more to offer on second time. Instead, I snuggled at home. It was great.
Award for I'd rather snuggle at home.
¬ Editors
Show was an early bird special because of the scheduled after party, and since nobody told us in advance, we missed Joy Formidable who were supporting them. THANKS.
The new Editors songs are awful (In This Light and On This Evening aside), and guess what... they are awful live as well. The show for me was separated into major highs (songs from the previous two albums) and lows (new songs). As a result, I got all hot and bothered with one song, only to get cooled down with the next, and then have to work from scratch to get my groove back on. Tiresome show, that one! Frontman Tom Smith was less kinetic and expressive than he usually is. I've seen the Editors three times so far, and although this was the first time I saw them in a closed venue, it was my least favourite of the three. Cool light show though.
Award for erm, best light show.
¬ Noisettes
Late. Very late. Everything was running late. The time before a band takes the stage is a very frustrating time for me, and the Noisettes managed (whoever fault it was) to throw a good chunk of salt in my wound. When they finally make it to the stage, they don't exactly kill it. Granted, they have one of the most attractive front women, who is not only gorgeous but also knows how to use that gorgeousness, but her voice was just strained. She did all sorts of sexy acrobatics, but they weren't enough to distract me from the weak voice she had that night. Instead of concentrating more on their own songs, they offered two covers; T-Rex's Children of The Revolution, that was enjoyable, and The Killers' When We Were Young, which was utterly dull.
Award for erm, sexiest front woman.
¬ Franz Ferdinand
After a support band that didn't know if it wanted to play disco or 70s stadium rock, Franz come on and the audience explodes. They were lovely, shiny, and immensely enjoyable. The offputting moments were when they embarked on a child-like team drumming jamming, their choice of performing the new & boring Turn It On instead of say, the grand new Twilight Omens, and that they ended the show with Lucid Dreams, which just went on and on into irrelevant beats and bytes {yawn}. That aside, Kapranos is the great front man he always is, the new songs are not as thin-sounding live as I thought they would be, and the old favourites benefit from the refreshing stage arrangements.
Award for SO IF YOU'RE LONELY YOU KNOW I'M HERE WAITING FOR YOUUUUUUUUU...YAY!
¬ The Twilight Sad
This was an odd one. The delicious guitar sounds and vocals sounded absolutely superb. But only ''sounded''. If you had your eyes closed, it would have been a perfect show. If you opened them, you were treated to an under-expressive guitarist and guitarist/keyboardist, and a bassist who was MOTIONLESS. This was a painfully irritating spectacle, needless to say, despite the efforts of the singer and drummer. I wanted to get up on the stage and slap them, especially the wax statue of a bassist into life. Not to mention they owe me I Am Taking The Train Home.
Award for keep your eyes wide shut and you will be blown away.
¬ Les Savy Fav, and All Tomorrow's Parties film screening
Oh that was a glorious night. The film was alright, I was expecting more to be honest, but I don't regret seeing it. If nothing else, it made me like Battles for a change!
But Les Savy Fav.... MAN OH MAN. It was my first time seeing them, and I've already registered as an imaginary groupie (don't ask). We're talking tight rock and fucking roll. Their front man is just an epic person. He gave us bread, kissed us, put lipstick on us (ME, TOO!), walked all around the venue, climbed speakers, got half naked and drew on himself various symbols (including the word ''doable''). For the encore he dressed up as an alien lizard, outfit which he took off later on to reveal a pair of satin-y red boxing shorts. I couldn't take my eyes off him and my ears off the super tight band.
Award for best show of the month along with Hawley (I think I've written that before...)
¬ Morrrissey
This show took place three days after Moz collapsed on stage in Swindon. That should account for the number of people that were filming the show with their phone cameras, them vultures (how to become a youtube celebrity in a day without showing your tits). Luckily, Morrissey looked and sounded fantastic. Gosh, he has aged so gracefully. From his wonderful voice to his body language to his stage banter, he was a joy to watch and listen to. He has a very special connection with his fans, and it showed. The downside of the show was that almost a third of the setlist was from Swords, which is blah (Morrissey said that he's smelling the lowest chart position ever for it and I can't disagree).
Award for the unique opportunity of watching grown up men fight over Morrissey's shirt. Priceless.
¬ Dananananaykroyd
Had not all the above shows exhausted me, I would have seen Dananananaykroyd as well but, unfortunately, I had to take a rain check. The bf did though, and he manhandled me into writing that they were tremendous fun with their wall of cuddles (for real!) instead of a mosh pit and their super energetic presence!
Award for best show I didn't see.
Once again, this was Anna reporting to you live from all over the place.
Locating MOG account...
Comments (30)
BOT's go to shows ?????
In the VIB area...
LOL.. and loved the Halloweenesque Avatar choice this weekend... creepy drowning doll!
AH! you saw Les Savy Fav! and you didn't invite me! downright jealousy. hahaha, I am laughing reading your description of their show, they are so much fun
Ghost, cheers! I've been searching for a good time for a long time, and when I saw this.... I knew it was the one!
madrid, I did! Didn't you get the invitation? You should tell your postman off (but don't mention my name...). The show was CLASS! I'd see them again and again and again.
my postman is a dead man, he is going to be delivering his last package to the fishes in the hudson river for this slip up. really glad you enjoyed LSF/ another satisfied fan/ so next time then!
Great stuff. Glad to hear that I'm not the only one completely dissapointed by the new Editors. Saw them last year and it was a great show, but the new stuff might be enough to keep me away if they ever come back.
madrid, as I was reading your comment, my mail was delivered through the mail-slot! They are watching us, brother! Act fast...
In Hiding, thank you! You're definitely not alone in that. It made me not want to see them again for some time (till they burn the new album and apologize).
In my opinion you did not miss much with Dananananakroyd. The whole time I was there I was thinking "I'm too old for this, this is embarrassing", and I'm 23, so I should not be thinking that for Pete's sake!
Most surprising gig perhaps this year for me was Morrissey. We didn't have the Swords setlist (thankfully I guess) and his voice -- and oh how I feared after seeing him not hitting the notes a few weeks earlier on the Jonathan Ross show -- was absolutely spot on. Really, really good show that was.
Franz Ferdinand, ah, they still are lovely. I as well wasn't taken with the Maccabees and Noisettes who I found to be average, and I've given up on Editors since they started to do that whole choreography thingy with climbing on the piano at exactly the same time and just faking it up imho.
I saw all those shows scattered over the year, you in one month, now how is that fair? :P
Les Savy Fav are touring? Then this surely means ... a new album?!? YAY!
Having read your previous account of seeing Editors live, I am supremely disappointed that the stink that has permeated their studio sound has stunk up their live act as well. BOO!
And methinks The Twilight Sad took the term "shoegazing" far too literally. ;)
Frankly, I think I'm glad I'm not there; I couldn't keep up with you crazy kids and your many live shows. *waves cane threateningly*
Stefan, the bf is 35 and he enjoyed it immensely. You got me scared now! ahahhahahah
You saw Moz on the Years Of Refusal tour, eh? I HATE YOU :P
Glad we agree. I was so bored during the new Editors songs, that I caught myself counting the beams coming from a light spot.
I told you, my dear, UK is calling you ;)
Dale, HOPEFULLY! Oh how I loved them.
Stinky stinky booooooo! Neill will come over any time now and abuse us.... wait for it.....
Twilight Sad need a new bassist, to say the list.
Only one way to find out.... room in the attic is waiting for a guest :)
The imge of Morissey achieving youtube celebrity status by showing his tits is far too disturbing for a family Mog.
ok, now THAT'S my idea of an October. Well done, my pet!
I saw Moz at Coachella and there were moments that he almost brought me to tears (in the best possible way). I am glad to hear he's up and crooning after his collapse.
However, I'm still shuddering over the motionless bass player. That's an abomination.
Anna, you must have George Orwell's mail man.
Dale, I am hopeful as well. I will admit, their twitter reveals they are working on new stuff, but I wouldn't get excited too soon, the band is notorious for doing things at their own pace and not necessarily coinciding tours with album releases. here's hoping though
Jonh! I meant the people that upload videos at youtube! You have a dirty mind! (I do like your interpretation better though...)
Why thank you, Amber! He would have made me cry for sure if he had performed There Is A Light.
/excuse me, something in my eye... snif!
Abomination is the best word. And he was looking at us with a totally void look. YUCK.
I knew what you meant - but it raised the thought in my mind. It's hard to imagine anyone with a more pale, pasty, English pallor.
I've never been to a Smiths or Morrissey gig without seeing his nipples.....
.
You come to the UK to see bands and then cry off sick for half of them. What a pussy....
.
I would try defending Editors but that would just be pouring Vodka on your hate for 'In This Light, Who Gives a Fuck...'
(OK, It's their third best album and not that bad..............I'll get my coat)
leave that delete button alone...
Neil! Such Language!
Kudos for having the balls to leave it there!
Salute!
Dale if your using ancient then Im old, so lets go with Medium Well and Medium Rare.
Anna.. just know.. your the one for me ... annie... (at least i didnt call you fat)
Amber, twice in one day so "click" your added, and to die by your side... well, the pleasure, the priveledge would be mine.
John... I have clicked it at least 8 times now.. and all I get still is a big black JPG laughing at me... yet I continue to click it... im an idiot.
Once again you do an epic concert post well! I'm surprised you are loathing the new Editors' album so much. Sure the lyrics leave much to be desired but I don't pay that much attention to lyrics. To me the vocals are another instrument in the mix so lyrics take a back seat. I'm loving the new album which has gotten me to appreciate & listen to their previous ones.
Neill that is a GREAT clip of Editors live. Just love his voice!
And I saw that Morrissey Coachella show w/Amber & was dutifully impressed, even though he was being a major diva since he was smelling the cooking meat from the food booths & complaining loudly. His voice is AMAZING live & it renewed the dormant fanboy in me.
Prodigious month, prodigious coverage. But what of All Hallows' Eve? Didja trick-or-treat? And who opened for Dananananaykroyd? Was it Johnohnohnohnbelushi?
Take me out tonight
Because I want to see people
And I want to see life
My motto.
I saw Moz standing right next to August and we were both rapt...and yes, he did change his shirt and so, yes, we did see his nipples, I guess.
Ghost: twice in one day and we clicked! Cool--we're practically pinned. ;)
(sorry for hijacking your comments, Anna)
Can't think of a better friend to have seen the Mozzer w/than you Amber. It was both our virgin Moz experiences as well, so I'm glad it was w/you m'dear!
Jonh, pale is good; it is, it is! :)
Neill, bah! They are the pussies that don't deliver ;P
Let's not waste vodka, please!
I loathe that new song you posted. I've deleted a comment of yours only once since I met you (at the very beginning, when I had my prude façade on and you asked if Greeks braid their pubic hair), but this is very tempting.
Ghost, ''annie''? ''ANNIE''? :p
Uncle A, aww thank you!
I don't hate the lyrics on the new Editors, I hate the music :)
You should hear me complain about people carrying stinky meat on the bus. I could teach Morrissey a swear word or two.
Amber, ah lucky you :)
We heard these Smiths songs: This Charming Man, How Soon Is Now? (almost cried), Cemetry Gates, Nowhere Fast, Death At One's Elbow, and Is It Really So Strange?, but no Light, unfortunately.
(no worries! I'm not one to frown upon hijacking; or nipples, at that)
Mike, I stayed at home and watched The Exorcist (timeless, I'm telling you)! I had much fun, and for the added reason that I had kids in spooky costumes knocking at my door; never experienced that before!
Johnohnohnohnbelushi ahahhahahhahhaha
Frighteningly good reviews.
"This show took place three days after Moz collapsed on stage in Swindon"
We felt the tremor in Dublin, God bless him.
Thank you for not deleting Neill's vid comment Anna, as tempted as you are. I just watched it again. That song is one of my faves on Editors' new album.
Colin my goddess, where the fuck have you been? I thought perhaps the wife decided she finally had a enough of you & did you in. Good to see you, it's been way too long!
award for introducing me to Les Savy Fav... thank you!!!
A month of concerts...this is a year's worth for me :)